The MSc Finance (Banking and Risk Management) course in UCC involves advanced study of the practices of investment, banking and risk management. Course modules cover topics such as:
asset pricing
portfolio management
international finance
financial institutions
capital markets
treasury management
derivative securities
risk management.
The course also involves an applied research project, using cutting-edge techniques and software.
The MSc Finance (Banking and Risk Management) is at the top end of graduate study in business/finance in Ireland and is designed for high achievers who wish to pursue high-end careers in financial markets, such as:
investment banking
corporate banking
trading/dealing
portfolio management
asset pricing
treasury
capital markets (equity, money, bond, FX and derivatives markets)
risk management
financial analysis
research
Course Details
Candidates take taught modules with examinations over two semesters and then complete a minor dissertation. The taught modules are as follows:
Fund Management and Evaluation: studies portfolio management, return and risk evaluation in stock selection, market timing and persistence.
Fixed Income Securities: examines the term structure of interest rates and yield curve analysis, exotic bond valuation, duration, convexity, immunisation, asset backed securities and bond portfolio management.
Asset Pricing: examines models of asset returns, stock price predictability and market efficiency.
Securities Valuation and Selection: examines risk tolerance, asset allocation, stock valuation models and a financial analysis of a firm.
International Finance: focuses on how economic policy and the behaviour of agents impact international capital flows, exchange rates and global investments.
Treasury Risk Management: looks at the measurement and management of risks facing banks and corporations arising from volatility in currency and money markets.
Financial Institutions and Money Markets: looks at the role of money markets and banks in the economy, focuses on understanding the types of risk facing banks and the management of this risk.
Derivative Securities: introduces the concepts and mathematical techniques in pricing derivatives including options, swaps, forwards and futures on underlying assets.
Macroeconomics for Financial Markets: looks at macroeconomics theories, models and techniques relevant to financial markets. Topics include business cycles, economic growth, uncertainty, monetary policy, inflation and the labour market.
Regulation and Compliance in Capital Markets: covers the guiding principles behind financial regulation and the main differences between the roles and key legal aspects of different regulatory institutions.
Applied Econometrics: includes regression analysis, OLS, hypothesis testing and specification.
Applied Time Series Analysis: includes ARIMA models, Box-Jenkins methodology, ARCH-GARCH models, VAR models, unit-root testing and co-integration.
Research Methods: includes (i) a report writing/economic consulting element, (ii) visiting speaker seminar series, (iii) research methods training and (iv) workshops on recent developments in financial research.
Further details on the content and modules are available on the Postgraduate College Calendar.
Comment
Course Practicalities
You attend lectures for approximately 12 hours per week. There are additional research workshop hours and you will also attend regular visiting speaker seminars and practical laboratory sessions.